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In the state of North Carolina, a commercial drivers license is required for drivers who transport a minimum of 16 passengers, such as a bus, and for drivers of large semi-trucks of a certain weight. To receive a commercial drivers license, you must complete an application and pass the knowledge and skills tests for driving commercial vehicles. A commercial drivers license can be obtained from any drivers licensing office of the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDOT).

Steps

Visit the NCDOT "Manual" website listed in the Sources section of this article for an online copy of the commercial drivers manual or contact NCDOT at 919-715-7000 to learn of nearby office locations that will provide you with a copy.

Study the manual completely in order to pass the knowledge and skills tests, which must be taken prior to receiving your commercial drivers license.

2

Choose the type of commercial drivers license you need based on the type of vehicle you will be driving.

Select a "Commercial Class A" license if you will be driving a combination of vehicles that weigh at least 26,001 lbs. (11,793 kilograms). A combination of vehicles indicates trailers or other items you tow.

Obtain a "Commercial Class B" license if you drive a single vehicle that weighs at least 26,001 lbs. (11.793 kilograms) and if you plan on towing another vehicle or trailer than weighs less than 10,000 lbs. (4,535.92 kilograms).

Select a "Commercial Class C" license if your vehicle does not meet criteria from the "A" or "B" Classes or if you plan on driving at least 16 passengers, including yourself. You must also select a "Class C" license if you are transporting hazardous materials.

You can also obtain a Learner's Permit, which will require you to have a passenger sitting beside you every time you drive. Your passenger must already have a valid commercial drivers license. The Learner's Permit is only valid for 6 months.

3

Bring a document that proves your place of residence.

The document must display both your name and the physical address where you reside.

Acceptable forms of documentation include military orders, your valid North Carolina vehicle registration, a North Carolina library card, your utility bill, or a copy of your apartment lease.

To view other forms of acceptable proof of residency documentation, visit the NCDOT "Commercial" website featured in the Sources section of this article or contact the NCDOT headquarters office at 919-715-7000 between Monday and Friday during the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

4

Bring 2 pieces of documentation that confirm your identity and current age.

One piece of the documentation must be your Social Security Card or identification card issued by the United States government that verifies your legal presence in the country.

Yes, a clean driving record is important to becoming a driver. Minor infractions can affect your ability to get employed by certain companies, especially if they were recent. Suspensions and revocations on your record can severely limit your opportunities.

Article Info

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 11 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has also been viewed 58,697 times.